Supervisors discuss weed spraying

July 25, 2012

The Emmet County Board of Supervisors - along with a few disgruntled rural landowners - discussed weed spraying at Tuesday's board meeting.

"I'm satisfied with the way our county looks," said Roxanne Christensen, weed commissioner.

Supervisor Tim Schumacher said he had received a call, though, suggesting if the county did its own spraying there wouldn't be as much cleanup.

Don Reffer, of Brush & Weed Control Specialists that has the contract to spray weeds for the county, said though his company responded to requests for respraying in areas that had been missed. He said some spots were in front of farmplaces where he doesn't spray.

Christensen said Lincoln Township previously had a serious problem with wild carrot. However, she said the situation was much better this year.

"I think our county looks very good for what we put into it," Christensen said.

Reffer also noted that if the county did its own spraying it would have to buy equipment and added insurance.

Bernard Nielsen noted problems though in 12 Mile Lake Township. "I can't agree with you in 12 Mile Lake Township," Nielsen said, showing the supervisors a number of photos of areas with problem weeds. He said the photos were taken last week.

Reffer insisted that crews had been sent out to respray. "They drove every road a second time with a pickup," he said.

Paul Enerson asked what was the farmer's responsibility for spraying.

"If you're going to pay someone to spray the ditch, it should be sprayed," Enerson said, adding that he sprays to the bottom of the road ditch and that he doesn't have any wild carrot at all.

Christensen asked what the landowners present would suggest without farmers spraying their own ditches.

"I'm saying you're spending too much money for what you have and you should demand more out of the farmers and other property owners," said Dave Enerson.

He said he could smell spray across the road from his place when it was too windy to be spraying and that it had damaged his tomatoes.